SANDAKAN: The State Government has increased its total allocation for Chinese schools and non-Muslim religious bodies in Sabah to RM90 million this year compared to RM70 million last year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said the increased allocation reflected the State Government’s commitment to ensuring better access to education, while also supporting building maintenance, learning activities and the operations of religious bodies for the benefit and comfort of all.
“Our principle is clear – Sabah First and education for all. The present government will continue to uphold the principles of justice, equality and inclusivity.
“We do not consider race or religion when providing assistance. Instead, we look at the needs of the people and the future of Sabah, which we must develop together,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Student Activity Centre Hall at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Tiong Hua Sandakan here today.
His speech was delivered by State Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib.
Hajiji said the allocation for Chinese schools and non-Muslim religious bodies had increased from RM43 million in 2020 and 2021 to RM47 million in 2022, RM54.05 million in 2023, RM56.75 million in 2024 and RM70 million last year.
He said the State Government had also allocated RM155 million for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) this year, compared with RM50 million in 2020, while continuing the 14 education assistance initiatives introduced since 2021.
“All these efforts have one common objective to ensure that Sabah’s children have access to quality education without being burdened by financial difficulties,” he said.
Hajiji said human capital development under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Development Plan also emphasised nurturing a generation that was not only educated but also equipped with skills, values, resilience, creativity and the ability to drive Sabah’s economy and development.
He said young people must be equipped with skills in emerging fields required by the future economy so that they could compete at state, national and international levels.
Commenting on the construction of the Student Activity Centre Hall at SMJK Tiong Hua, Hajiji said the facility was more than just a new building but it reflected the collective commitment of the school, parents, community, alumni and private sector to providing a more conducive, comfortable and quality learning environment.
He said the hall should be fully utilised as a space to build self-confidence, nurture talent, strengthen discipline and develop a generation that was knowledgeable, skilled and guided by strong values and integrity.
Hajiji also described SMJK Tiong Hua as a source of pride for the people of Sandakan, having produced outstanding Sabahans in various fields over the years, including academics, business, leadership and public service.
He said the spirit of unity demonstrated by the school community, where students from different racial and religious backgrounds studied together, reflected Sabah’s identity, which must continue to be preserved.
“Unity is not merely a slogan. Unity is a prerequisite for the stability and progress of our state. If we want Sabah to continue moving forward, we must ensure that this foundation of unity remains strong,” he said.
He expressed hope that SMJK Tiong Hua students would make full use of the facilities and opportunities provided to develop their potential, expand their knowledge and enhance their skills, thereby continuing the school’s tradition of excellence in contributing to the state’s human capital development.-pr/BNN
